I had only lived in the city

For just over six months

When I met Clive

Who offered to illustrate

My latest book of poems

Which was called

Blood Orange and Rhododendrons

He lived in Chiswick with Mina

Who I had never met

Although I knew she was Maltese

When I arrived I surprised to see

A number of life studies of his partner

Hung in different rooms around the flat

Many were drawn using charcoal

Which he kept in small glass jars

On various wooden shelves

Mina was also an artist and her drawings

Littered nearly every surface

As if disposed of without thought

I openly noted my admiration of the works

And Clive kindly gifted me a life sketch of Mina

Which was erotic without being provocative

I have since had it framed and have hung it

On the wall of my study come bedroom

As it brings a kindness to this tragic room